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Consumer group CHOICE says it’s time for real world emissions testing to ensure consumers aren’t misled by car makers CHOICE is renewing its call for real world testing of vehicle fuel efficiency following new research that found Volkswagen’s recalled and “fixed” cars are using more fuel and emitting more noxious emissions than allowed under Australian…
Read More Volkswagen emissions con continues
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NBN Co has announced a new monthly report to track service and quality improvements on the nbn broadband access network. The report will include key measures such as the number of homes and businesses which can connect to the nbn™ access network, network congestion levels, the percentage of homes and businesses on a 50mbps (download) wholesale speed…
Read More Australians can now track NBN progress in monthly reports
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The financial counselling sector has today released its third annual Rank the Banks survey and it contains both bouquets and brickbats. Nearly 300 financial counsellors were surveyed for their views on how the banking industry is responding to customers in financial hardship. Financial counsellors were also asked for the first time to rank the hardship practices of…
Read More ‘Rank the Banks’ survey results released
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National variety goods retailer The Reject Shop Ltd has been penalised $140,000 after admitting that it contravened the product safety provisions of the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria) by selling projectile toys that did not meet the relevant Australian Safety Standard. The Reject Shop operates more than 330 stores across Australia. Consumer Affairs Victoria took action…
Read More The Reject Shop ordered to pay $155,000 over unsafe projectile toys
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The following is reproduced from the Consumers International website. The consumer movement marks 15th March with World Consumer Rights Day every year, as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs. Celebrating the day is a chance to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against…
Read More World Consumer Rights Day 2018: Making Digital Marketplaces Fairer
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Consumer group CHOICE says car companies’ ongoing failure to protect the public from unsafe airbags reaffirms the need to tighten Australian Consumer Law. CHOICE has welcomed the compulsory recall of millions of potentially lethal Takata airbags, and is calling on the Federal Government to beef up Australian Consumer Law to make it explicitly clear that…
Read More CHOICE welcomes action on deadly airbags
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The second-hand economy is booming with more and more consumers buying used goods. How can we be sure that the second-hand baby crib we buy won’t cause injury or harm? Purchasing used products can bring its share of bad surprises, but a new International Standard helps make sure those hand-me-down treasures are not putting your…
Read More The second-hand market gets a new ISO standard to protect consumers
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At least 500 children have ended up in hospital emergency departments in Australia between 2012 and 2017 due to injuries at indoor trampoline parks. The number of trampoline parks has soared past 80 in the past six years, but with lawsuits, catastrophic spinal injuries and even deaths overseas clouding the industry’s future, experts are urgently…
Read More Safety concerns for children at trampoline parks
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On 15th February, a package of reforms to improve credit card lending and marketing practices passed Federal Parliament. Consumer advocacy groups Consumer Action Law Centre and CHOICE are relieved to see the important reforms finally enacted after a long consultation process. The reforms will: require affordability assessments to be based on a person’s ability to…
Read More Credit card reforms long overdue
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The following is a Media Release from The Hon Michael Sukkar MP: Assistant Minister to the Treasurer The Turnbull Government has today introduced a Bill into Parliament containing reforms to improve outcomes for Australian consumers across a range of areas. Schedule 1 of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 3) Bill 2018 amends the Australia Consumer Law…
Read More Government introduces legislation to improve outcomes for consumers
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As Consumer Action Law Centre asks insurance companies to “Show Us Some Love”, a new report from the Centre shares the shocking stories of Australians caught out by unfair terms in insurance contracts. The report DENIED: Levelling the playing field to make insurance fair details people’s shocking experiences with insurance claims and shows why an unfair contract…
Read More Consumer Action asks insurance companies to show Australians some love
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The following is an excerpt from an article that was originally published on The Conversation. Gardening is generally a healthy and pleasurable hobby or occupation. However, any activity carries some risk – and gardening is no exception. Potting mix is known to carry harmful bacteria and fungi. And there have been reports of deaths from diseases, such…
Read More Potting mix health risks